I was running out of ideas to help my 5-year-old son tidy his room. One day, as we discussed how painful it is to step on a lego piece accidentally, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “ I think I need Marie Aunty to help me.”

Sipping my first mixed drink in the USA, devouring one of the best views in the world, and feeling on top of the world — somewhat literally, as I was sitting in Windows on the World restaurant on top of the North tower of the World Trade Center, I thought confidently…

“What kind of life do I want to create for myself?”

With a new trend going viral almost daily, it is hard to know what will work for your body and mind. One day Paleo is supposed to help, and the next it seems to be Vegan is the healthiest way to live. Then there are the fitness trends that keep changing as well; even ancient practices like yoga have so many different paths to choose from.

After failing to maintain the habit in the past, I tried a few things differently this time and was able to make this process easier. I have to admit I’m loving it. I get 3 hours of peaceful, productive time daily!

These days being device-free is next to impossible. There seems to be no escape from non-stop Zoom calls to online library books. Even our mindfulness tools, which are supposed to help us take a break, are on our phones!

Somehow in the middle of all the mindless chatter, you hear the chimes, and everyone begins chanting 'AUM'. You join in, and by the third round of chanting, the entire room seems calmer; not only that, your mind is quieter too!

So how does this magical mantra do this? Why is it so revered in the world of spirituality?